Potent allergen ragweed steps up at summer's end

Friday

It seems when summer is having its last hurrah before fall, a real party stopper comes into bloom — ragweed.

It seems when summer is having its last hurrah before fall, a real party stopper comes into bloom — ragweed.

Its yellow blooms are so potent, one plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains.

When the wind carries those grains, as many as 10 to 20 percent of Americans are overcome with late-season allergies, causing them to erupt in sneezing fits, along with all the other discomforting symptoms of “hayfever” or allergic rhinitis.

For allergy sufferers, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. are the witching hours, so Dr. Terry Baksh, a primary care physician at Health Call Primary Care in Norwich, recommends taking antihistamines in the morning.

“They are your first line of defense,” said Baksh of antihistamines such as Benadryl.

“If they don’t work, you can try for symptomatic relief by adding decongestants and a non-steroid inhaler.”

However, some people may need to get relief from steroid inhalers, known by names such as Nasonex, Flonase and Nasocort. Baksh also mentioned a second generation of antihistamines — Claritin and Allegra. Fortunately, they cause less symptoms of drowsiness, and Claritin can now be bought over the counter.

“It's best for folks to take these medications regularly during the allergy season,” said Dr. Jennifer Bellino, an internal medicine specialist at the William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. “If they find one of the newer antihistamines makes them a little drowsy, they can take it at night — it's still effective for the morning.”

Bellino recommends people prone to allergies see their doctor in late July or early August, just before ragweed pollen erupts, to make sure they have nasal steroids on hand a few weeks before they need it.

Like many doctors, Baksh and Bellino recommend people stay away from the allergens that bother them.

With something such as ragweed, turning on the air conditioner won’t be the cure, but it will keep people indoors, away from the pollen, Baksh said.

Bellino said other tactics for allergy sufferers include thoroughly cleaning the main room where you stay, eliminating carpeting and draperies or cleaning them regularly, washing bedding frequently and in high temperatures to eliminate dust mites, encasing the mattress and box spring in a zippered cover, banning pets from the bedroom, keeping stuffed toys to a minimum and purchasing an air filter and making sure air conditioner filters are kept clean. Also, keeping windows closed will keep pollen outside, she advised.

Ragweed, named for its ragged leaves, grows only for one season, but its seeds can sprout even years later if conditions are right. The plants will release their pollen from late August until frost.

Most people develop seasonal allergies — allergies that get kicked up by, for instance, tree pollen in late March and early April, and grass by mid May and late June — in childhood.

Perennial allergies happen year-round, with reactions often to dust mites, mold and certain foods and pets.

To keep allergy symptoms under control, Baksh said people should become aware of their triggers and use dehumidifiers to keep mold under control, replace feather pillows with polyester ones and use non-allergenic down. He also recommends sensitive people avoid wool and cotton clothing, and instead choose synthetic fabrics for clothing.

And if you start sneezing uncontrollably one day, you may have developed an allergy.

“If you’ve never had an allergy as a child, that doesn’t mean you can’t get them as an adult,” said Baksh.

Reach Sharma Howard of the Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin at showard@norwichbulletin.com

At a glance

Five things you should know about ragweed
Ragweed grows mostly in rural areas, and its pollen count tends to be worst in mid-August.
Symptoms include eye irritation, runny nose, stuffy nose, puffy eyes, sneezing and an inflamed nose and throat.
A skin sensitivity test in which ragweed extract is brought into contact with the skin can determine who is allergic to ragweed.
Ragweed sufferers should stay indoors in central air conditioning where possible, especially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when pollen is worst.
Antihistamines are often recommended to combat hay-fever symptoms, as are anti-inflammatory nose sprays or drops. Allergy shots can be a worst-case option.

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